The candidates listed their qualifications at a forum this week sponsored by the NAACP. The event at the Albany Public Library drew an audience of about 75.

Doyle, 57, of Slingerlands has spent 31 years in Surrogate's Court, which handles wills, estates and trusts as well as adoptions. Before being elected in 2000, Doyle was chief clerk for more than 20 years to Surrogate Raymond Marinelli.

Doyle said her "deep knowledge of the law" has sustained her as surrogate in a court where she has spent the greater part of her legal career. Doyle also has been active for years with the Center for Disability Services.

A member of the audience questioned Doyle's 2007 censure by the state Commission on Judicial Conduct. Doyle said "it was alleged that something inappropriate happened" at a private luncheon and she accepted the rebuke, which amounted to a permanent letter in her file.

The watchdog panel that oversees judges said Doyle gave "evasive and deceptive" testimony during its probe into a trust fund meant to help her friend Thomas Spargo, a one-time state Supreme Court justice, pay lawyers' fees into an investigation of him.

"The commission did me a favor, it taught me to be a better judge," she said, calling it a "hard and painful lesson."

More recently, after Spargo was indicted on federal charges of attempted bribery and attempted extortion, prosecutors said while Doyle was not a target of their investigation they considered her a "co-conspirator." Spargo is serving 27 months in federal prison.

Both Doyle and Heath-Roland have worked in public positions since law school.

Carr, 55, of Slingerlands enjoys pointing out he is the only one of the Democrats who has practiced in Surrogate's Court on a regular basis in his more than 30-year legal career as a "family lawyer."

Carr's platform is "knowledge, experience, integrity." As a lawyer, he's a problem-solver, he said. In the community, he volunteers with senior groups, has been involved with Little League and referees high school and college basketball.

"Now is the time for change," he told the Times Union editorial board this week, to make the court more "user friendly."

Heath-Roland, 47, of Albany, who has been in City Court for five years, said she sees a surrogate judge as being "there to help ... to look out for others' interests." She said she would draw upon her experience and compassion.

The only one of the four who received a "not qualified" rating by the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission, Heath-Roland told an audience member she felt there was no rationale for the finding. She said she would continue her "positive message" that she will be fair, impartial and show respect for those before her.

Heath-Roland has been mentoring children in reading and writing and was involved with the Children's Center at Albany County Family Court.

Adkins, 49, of New Scotland had the crowd chuckling when at least twice she joked about being a Republican in Albany County.

She is running for what she calls a "specialized" court that "touches everyone's life at some point." She volunteers with senior groups and finds "elderly issues translate into Surrogate's Court."

She pointed to what she called her "education, dedication to the law and judicial temperament. I know I'm a Republican, but keep an open mind (when you're voting)," she said.